Women in Theology

About

WIT, “Women in Theology,” is a shared blog by women trained in the academic disciplines of theology who write from a Christian ecumenical and often feminist perspective. Our group includes scholars and writers who have spiritual and academic ties to Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic traditions, and we are committed to ecumenical collaboration. We hope that our diverse theological perspectives and many ways of naming our commitment to the social, political, economic, domestic, and ecclesiastical equality of women can emerge through this collaboration. On WIT, we will focus our academic training on a wide variety of topics, reflecting our shared commitment to the flourishing of women. We also support the work of Christian women who write fiction, particularly those who explore faith, spirituality, and/or gender in their work.

The history of Christian theology is one in which women have been spoken about (by men) much more than they have been allowed to speak for themselves. WIT exists to add the voices of women to a theological conversation that remains male-dominated. However, we do not claim to speak for all women, to address the situations of all women, or even agree with one another about what constitutes our flourishing or the “essence” of feminism. We do write as women from diverse backgrounds whose experience shapes, and limits, our theological perspectives and concerns. We welcome diversity and disagreement, both with readers and one another.

The original founders of WIT adopted this name in 2010 to maintain a connection with a group of women scholars who served as mentors and inspirations, and who themselves had a group called “WIT” several decades ago in graduate school. We hope to help ensure the presence of women in theological work.

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16 thoughts

This looks like a great initiative. I look forward to reading more as you grow. You have an impressive authorship. Not only is “women’s theology” underrepresented on the theo-blogsphere, as well are multi-authorship blogs. I myself am a “women in theology” in my tail end of a BA at Canadian Mennonite University with interests in ethics and philosophy. And, as a bit of shameless promotion, if I might, feel free to check out the blog I’m a part of at http://ortusmemoria.wordpress.com.

The term “kyriarchy” was developed by feminist theologian Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza– “meaning the rule of the emperor/master/lord/father/husband over his subordinates” (that’s from Jesus: Miriam’s Child, Sophia’s Prophet, page 14). The point is to recognize that sexism intersects with other oppressions like racism, classism, heterosexism. When we say that we are anti-kyriarchal we are saying that we oppose all forms of oppression on this blog.

Yours is a blog I feel I ought to look at in more detail, but fear. This is because of the language you use. Is it really necessary to use theological terms the ordinary reader struggles with, even a prospective priest who already has a FdA in theology and is meant to understand some of it! I will try to follow for a few weeks, from this side of the pond and see what I make of your discussions.

However, it does strike me, that if you really want to open up debates so that as a result of them people might understand their own relationship with God better (which is part of my simplified understanding of what theology is for) it would be very helpful to us of smaller brains, if you could explain terms as you use them in your writing, so that we can understand at contribute to your material more easily.

Interesting idea for a blog, but I really do wonder how women can pursue such studies when religions are overwhelmingly sexist? Surely this fact alone proves that religion is man-made (pun intended) and related spiritual and philosophical quests are best pursued outside the confines of organised religion?
And in case you are wondering, I am a feminist and an atheist.

I’m not personally religious, but theology and philosophy are, for lack of better phrasing, hobbies of mine. I’m also a big dork who sometimes sinks her teeth into academic/semi-academic reading just for kicks. Oh yeah, also a feminist, so the topics here dovetail with my interests in a pretty cool way. Looking forward to some thought-provoking posts!

Just found your blog via a wordpress search, and can really appreciate your views. God has had me on an ecumenical type journey, where I recently graduated seminary and found myself out of a denomination that he once led me to and where he has now led me onward to a non-denom/charismatic type church. It’s a wonderful journey, but full of surprises. I just got back into blogging and am looking for readers and places to read and connect with other Christian writers, theologians, and passionate pursuers of God. Blessings, Robin.

As a part-time Kemetic who has thought of becoming a priest, I wonder if you will have anything for the non-Christian women in theology. I will follow for a while to see. Thank you for providing this blog.

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